Puneet Varma (Editor)

Irvine Ranch Natural Landmarks

Updated on
Edit
Like
Comment
Share on FacebookTweet on TwitterShare on LinkedInShare on Reddit
Area
  
202.3 km²

Nearest city
  
Irvine

Irvine Ranch Natural Landmarks funorangecountyparkscomwpcontentuploads20110

Location
  
Orange County, California

The Irvine Ranch Natural Landmarks are a collection of protected areas in Orange County, California near Irvine. They encompass almost 50,000 acres (20,000 ha) of land which was once a part of the Irvine Ranch owned by the Irvine Company. Almost 40,000 acres (16,000 ha) of the landmarks were designated a National Natural Landmark in 2006 and a California Natural Landmark in 2008.

Contents

Irvine Ranch contains a remarkably complete stratigraphic succession ranging in age from late Cretaceous (80 million years ago) to the present. The primary biological features at the site include coastal sage scrub and chaparral communities, including rare Tecate cypress woodlands.

About the irvine ranch natural landmarks


History

The Irvine Ranch started out as a cattle ranch in the 1860s. By the late 1970s the cattle business had been sold.

Adjacent areas

  • Aliso and Wood Canyons Regional Park (Orange County Parks)
  • Crystal Cove State Marine Conservation Area (California Department of Fish and Wildlife)
  • Laguna Beach State Marine Reserve & Laguna Beach State Marine Conservation Area (California Department of Fish and Wildlife)
  • Santiago Oaks Regional Park (Orange County Parks)
  • Upper Newport Bay State Marine Conservation Area (California Department of Fish and Wildlife)
  • Whitting Ranch Wilderness Park (Orange County Parks)

    • References

    Irvine Ranch Natural Landmarks Wikipedia
    (Text) CC BY-SA